Do You Miss It?

Writers: Cali, Emma
Date Posted: 27th December 2006

Characters: B'lamick, An'dr
Description: Belamick and An'dr talk about many things.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 6 of Turn 4

"Excuse me?" Belamick asked of the young man as he entered the weyrling barracks. "I'm here to restock your healer supplies if you'll show me where they're kept." He pointed to the cart of numbweed, oil, bandages, and various other supplies kept on hand for the weyrlings and their dragons.

"Right, I won't be a moment." An'dr was engaged on a similar mission, taking notes of exactly what needed replacing.

Belamick eyed him curiously, "Are you a weyrling?" He might have to come back later...

An'dr turned, putting the slate down on a table. "Weyrlingmaster's Assistant," was the reply as he pointed to his knots. "Pluserth's rider."

He felt his cheeks redden slightly and looked more closely at the knots. He'd seen them before during some of his candidate classes, but the ones here at the Weyr were different than at the Healer Hall. "Oh sorry, I didn't see them at first."

"That's okay," replied the young bluerider. "I'm a graduated rider, but not posted to the wings yet."

Yes... that sounded familiar... he really should pay more attention to the early morning classes. Ioporol kept telling him he was going to miss something important during his little naps. "Ah, okay, well I'm Belamick by the way" he stuck his hand out as he introduced himself.
"I'm actually a candidate too... besides being an apprentice I mean."

"Well met Belamick."An'dr gave the other boy's hand a shake. "Have you seen the eggs yet?"

The candidate shook his head. "Not yet, I'm hoping to though, before the hatching. My friend says it makes you less nervous."

"Tabarnith usually allows it."

"I hope so, anything that can make me less stressed out, I'm all for!"
Belamick said, "Do you know if they're planning on taking all us candidates to see them? I've heard rumors, but it's hard to trust those..."

"You'd have to speak to the Weyrlingmaster about that."

Maybe he'd just see if those rumors panned out... "I might do that, thanks." Belamick looked around and then pointed at his cart, "So, can you show me where these go?"

"Sure," An'dr grinned. "You know, I never got a chance to do things like this."

"Like what?" Bellamick was confused.

"Candidate chores. I just... Well I wasn't supposed to Impress."

"Really? Did you impress from the stands?" He'd heard the other candidates talk about how it could happen.

"Yes, I was watching my sister, and my brother and I, we wanted to get closer. Pluserth wanted me closer still."

Belamick shook his head, "Wow, that had to be a shock. Did you even _want_ to impress?" He couldn't really imagine somebody _not_ wanting to impress, but he had noticed there were plenty of younger people around who didn't seem to be candidates.

"I don't know, I didn't think about it until it happened. I was going to be a Printer like my parents. My Ma's the Hallsecond."

Hallsecond... He had known that there were Halls that allowed female crafters, so he hadn't been shocked when he'd reported for duty to a female journeywoman his first day in the infirmary. Still, a Hallsecond was a bit harder to wrap his head around. "My father is a healer, so I understand following in footsteps."

"My other brothers will do that. My sister just teases me that I'll never get to walk the tables like she did."

Belamick frowned, "What do you mean you won't walk the tables? They said I could continue my craft after I impressed..."

"You don't get as much time, I mean I'm still a Junior Apprentice, my classmates are almost all seniors now. They reckon it could be a turn or so before I get there, and maybe twice that before I walk the tables."

He hadn't thought about the time factor. He was close to walking the tables, another turn, maybe two; but healing, more than probably any other craft, required continual study and practice. If he was always busy with drills and caring for his dragon he would have trouble advancing. "Do you miss it?"

"Sometimes, but when I look at Pluserth." A look crossed the lads face.

"I'd not change anything for all the marks on Pern."

Belamick nodded and let the momentary doubt pass as he started to unload his cart. Dragonriding was what he wanted to do, if he was stuck at senior apprentice all his life, then that was okay. He could still tend to simple injuries and help a person in need. More importantly, astride a dragon he wouldn't just be helping one person, he'd be saving all of Pern!

Last updated on the December 29th 2006

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